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    Home » Recipes » Halloween

    Black Magic Cake

    Posted: Oct 22, 2021 · Updated: May 24, 2024 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Black Magic Cake - A spooky homemade chocolate cake with witchy green buttercream frosting and Halloween-themed sprinkles.

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    Halloween is just around the corner, and this year, Americans are expected to spend $10.14 billion on Halloween-themed or related items.😱 Are you determined to make this Halloween a memorable one?

    Whether you're planning a party, going trick-or-treating or just carving pumpkins as a family, make sure to prepare some spooky treats like this Magic Potion Punch, graveyard Veggie Pizza, Halloween Swirl Brownies or this Black Magic Cake we're making today!

    It's a rich and moist, homemade chocolate cake with witchy green buttercream frosting and Halloween-themed sprinkles. So much fun for your Halloween festivities!

    HOW TO MAKE BLACK MAGIC CAKE

    To make this Halloween-themed layer cake, you'll need:

    • Flour
    • Sugar
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Baking soda
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Eggs
    • Brewed coffee
    • Buttermilk
    • Vegetable oil
    • Vanilla extract
    • Buttercream frosting (canned or homemade)
    • Neon green food coloring
    • Halloween sprinkles

    Grab all your ingredients and let’s start making this deliciously decadent chocolate cake. 

    PREPARING THE BATTER

    Preheat your oven to 350℉. Then, grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. You can do this with butter or baking spray. You may also want to place parchment paper on the bottom before spraying to make extra sure that your cakes will come out clean. 

    Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. You can use a whisk to mix together the dry ingredients or you can use a sifter. 

    bowl with ingredients for chocolate cake

    Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients, and add your eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. 

    Well of eggs within dry ingredients in bowl

    Beat the ingredients on high speed for 2 minutes. Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure that everything is incorporated. I have found that a silicone spatula works best for this.

    Your batter will be thin, but that’s ok! That’s how it should be.

    bowl of chocolate cake mix

    Pour an equal amount of batter into your two baking pans. Take your pans and drop them on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. This will also ensure that your cakes bake up evenly. 

    two cake pans filled with chocolate batter

    BAKING THE CAKES

    Bake your cakes for 32-36 minutes. Then, allow the cakes to cool.

    Do the toothpick test before removing them from the oven. Stick a toothpick in the center of each cake. If it comes out clean, then the cake is ready. 

    two chocolate cakes in 9-inch pans

    FROSTING THE CAKE

    Once the cakes have cooled, prepare the frosting with the neon green food coloring and frost the top of one of the cakes.

    An offset spatula works great for frosting layer cakes. If you've never seen or used one, this is what they look like.

    bottom layer of chocolate layer cake with neon green frosting

    Layer the second cake on top of the first.

    chocolate layer cake with green frosting in middle

    Then frost the outside of the entire cake and add some fun Halloween sprinkles.

    Neon green halloween cake with sprinkles

    You can find Halloween sprinkles in most stores during the fall months. Can’t find any? Make your own using orange, white, black and purple jimmies! 

    Piece of cake on spatula

    CAN I USE INSTANT COFFEE IN THIS RECIPE?

    Absolutely! You only need 1 cup of coffee so why waste a whole pot? To use instant coffee, make sure you make a strong cup and follow the directions on the container. 

    You can also use espresso powder. Use a teaspoon of espresso powder and 1 cup of water in place of the 1 cup of coffee. You can even use day old coffee or cold brew that you have sitting in the fridge.

    piece of Halloween-themed chocolate cake

    WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR BUTTERMILK?

    If you don't have buttermilk or just want a substitute, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a measuring cup. Then, add milk to the 1-cup line and stir.

    Feel free to use either bottled or fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

    cut piece of chocolate layer cake with neon green frosting

    HOW SHOULD I STORE  CHOCOLATE CAKE?

    You can store your frosted black magic cake at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate your cake in a covered container if you'd like it to last longer. It can keep in the fridge for 5-7 days.

    fork digging into piece of chocolate cake

    CAN I FREEZE CHOCOLATE CAKE?

    Absolutely! In fact, I find the flavor to be even better after the freezing and thawing process. However, I would recommend freezing the cake, unfrosted.

    After the cake has cooled completely, cover it in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight freezer-proof container. Cakes are good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    forkful of chocolate cake

    LOOKING FOR MORE SPOOKY HALLOWEEN TREATS?

    • Candy Corn Cupcakes
    • Halloween Swirl Brownies
    • Halloween Veggie Pizza
    • Witch Cauldron Mug Cake
    • Spooky Halloween Punch
    • Easy Wicked Witch Cupcakes
    • Halloween Pretzel Treats
    cut piece of chocolate layer cake with neon green frosting

    Black Magic Cake

    A spooky homemade chocolate cake with witchy green buttercream frosting and Halloween-themed sprinkles.
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    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 467kcal
    Author: Sara
    adjust servings: 16 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups white sugar
    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 cup strong brewed coffee
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Neon green food coloring
    • Buttercream frosting (homemade or store-bought)
    • Halloween sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
    • Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
    • In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
    • Make a well in the center.
    • Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.
    • Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be thin.
    • Pour into prepared pans.
    • Bake for 32 to 36 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
    • Cool for 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and move them to a wire cooling rack.
    • Once cooled, prepare frosting by mixing it with 6-8 drops of neon green food coloring.
    • Fill and frost with buttercream frosting.
    • Add sprinkles on top.

    Notes

    • Your cake batter may be a bit on the thin side -  it's supposed to be that way! 
    • Stick a toothpick in the center of the cake and if it comes out clean, your cake is done. 
    • Use an offset spatula for frosting these layer cakes. 
    • Store in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 668mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BitzNGiggles or tag #bitzngiggles!
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    Comments

    1. Shelley

      October 15, 2024 at 10:21 pm

      I know this will sound stupid, but, can I use store bought cake mix?

      Reply
      • Sara

        October 16, 2024 at 10:38 am

        Hi Shelly! You absolutely can just use store bought cake mix. Go with a chocolate fudge or devil's food to keep the dark chocolate color! Good luck!

        Reply

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    Sara Zenner, blogger at Bitz N Giggles

    welcome!

    Hey, I’m Sara!

     Born and raised in Wisconsin, where family and fun are at the heart of it all - I inherited a deep appreciation for home cooking and family traditions. I’m all about quick and easy recipes, tidying up, and laid back “up north” living.

    Read more!

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